France sensationally knocked out of the Euro! Ukraine youth team – in the semi-finals
Anatoly Romanov July 3, 2023, 00:15 Moscow time
The outcome of the match was decided by the unsuccessful season at Chelsea Mudrik.
The French team unexpectedly flew out of Euro 2023 in the first round of the playoffs. Ukraine, which won it, will play Spain in the semifinals on July 5.
France in the first minutes of the match with Ukraine did not find it easy to get out of the defense. Ruslan Rotan’s team aggressively pressured the opponent in their half of the field. In addition to the owner of the ball, all the players in the central axis of the ‘tricolor’ were under pressure, both defenses and midfielders. But the French quickly found a weak link in the defense of the Ukrainians. It was the left flank, where Dynamo Kyiv’s representative Vivcharenko made a lot of mistakes, both positionally and with the ball. From there came the goal for Sylvain Ripoll’s team in the 19th minute. After a penetrating pass, Vivcharenko sent Thuram behind him, who made the pass to Sherki. The 19-year-old Lyon talent handled the ball with such dexterity that he brushed center back Taloverov out of his way and calmly scored.
On the same flank, but in attack, the Ukrainians Mudryk played -the most expensive of the participants in Euro 2023, together with the Italian Tonali (Transfermarkt estimates them at 50 million euros). It was his first match in the tournament. The Chelsea winger’s entry into the field was left in doubt due to injury, but Mikhail nonetheless rose to his feet. And Mudryk took the Ukrainian team out when it didn’t work in attack. Only at the end of half an hour did Rotan’s team hit the target for the first time – from the penalty spot. This 11-meter left winger won. Picking up the ball, the Chelsea player took advantage of his super speed and flew into the French penalty area, while Milan defender Kalyulu stuck his foot out very inaccurately. Mudrik, of course, “painted” the foul, but formally the referee was right. The VAR system has been in operation since the Euro 2023 playoffs and the attendees supported the decision of the main referee. The penalty was coldly converted by Sudakov: the Lille Chevalier goalkeeper missed the corner.
Drama hosts Euro 2023 in the quarterfinals
What a pity for the Georgian team! He did not qualify for the semifinals of the Eurocup due to a terrible penalty
In the first half, France hit the Ukrainian goal nine times, hit the goal four times, and hit the post once. But Rotan’s team turned out to be more effective: he converted both of his shots on target (of four in 45 minutes). Before the break, Mudrik himself cut a miraculous pass through midfield to Sudakov. Georgy took advantage of a monstrous gap between the center-backs and the left-backs of the ‘tricolores’ and scored a double after the one-on-one.
In fairness to the criticism of Chelsea for transferring Mudrik for crazy money, it is clear that a young player with good qualities, who made it to the Premier League, will grow up. The left winger also triumphed in single combat with the French (eight wins out of 12 per game). After the break, the Ukrainian team relied on a tough defense and tried to calm the game down. The French failed to gain high command speed. Possessing the ball, Ripoll’s team did not generate scoring chances for a long time at the gates of Trubin, which, according to rumors, is also being watched by scouts from the best clubs in Europe.
The Ukrainians hung on the legs of the French, and all ties between the players of the attacking trio of Sherka – Barkol – Guiri were severed. The “tricolor” coach made a triple change in the 72nd minute to at least change something up front. Just a quarter of an hour before the end of regulation time, the French team hit Trubin’s goal for the first time in the second half. It was made by Adli Cool. The substitutions really revived the attack of Ripoll’s team. Then other “bench” Kalimuendo and Vai organized a goal, but it was disallowed for offside. The forward “Montpellier” got a little carried away and did not control the position of the opponent’s defenders.
However, instead of the final assault, the French team expected a cold shower at the end. In the 86th minute, the Ukrainians, in a rare counterattack, scored the third shot on goal of the match and scored the third goal. Incredible efficiency in finishing attacks. Captain Bondarenko, after receiving the ball in the Chevalier penalty area, surprisingly easily beat Lyon’s central defender Lukeba one on one and hit the target. After the group stage, the “tricolors” seemed almost the main contenders for victory at Euro 2023, and they flew already in the quarterfinals. Soccer makes faces.
